Black Cat Models Accessory Review

Black Cat Models
1/350 3.7cm FLAK M42 Twin Mount
With Shield

Reviewed by Bob Craig
October 2021

Black Cat Models from France continues with their line of 3D printed 1/350 accessories with the 3.7cm FLAK LM 42 twin mount with shield (x4), AC350069b.

From navweaps.com: “This weapon was manufactured by Rheinmetal-Borsig and was essentially a longer barrel version of the Army 3.7 cm Flak 36. This new gun was a great improvement over the older 3.7 cm/83 SK C/30 and had a much higher rate of fire. Recoil operated, air cooled and used five-round ammunition strips.

These were the first Kriegsmarine light anti-aircraft guns to have shields, a surprising shortcoming of earlier weapons. The design of this gun emphasized ease of manufacturing. Constructed of a monobloc barrel which was connected to the breech ring by a bayonet joint to allow easy replacement. Used a vertical sliding breech block, hydraulic brake and spring recuperator.

THE 37mm FLAK M42 GUNS

The packaging is the typical Black Cat clear plastic clamshell container, with very sticky double-sided tape to hold the parts in place.

The guns and shields are molded on two separate sprues. The base, shield, gunner’s seat, elevation and rotation wheels are printed as one piece, and the detail is excellent. There is even detail included on the face of the shields.

The guns, as is usual for Black Cat accessories, are very finely printed, again with excellent detail. Ammo clips are molded to the top of the gun breeches. As fine as the barrels are, they even include a slight flare for the flash suppressor. Since these are printed separately from the shields, the modeler can choose the elevation of the guns for this accessory set.

Close ups of some of the parts details.

INSTRUCTIONS

There are no instructions in the box, but they can be accessed on the Black Cat web site here.

CONCLUSIONS

These twin 3.7cm M42 guns are extremely well done and will make excellent upgrades to your 1/350 Kriegsmarine destroyers or U boats. Highly recommended!

This is Black Cat Models set AC350069b, 3.7cm FLAK LM 42 twin mount with shield (x4). It retails for $8.15 (USD) directly from Black Cat Models, and many of our fine site sponsors.